Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; dark green-colored leaves; large mophead-type inflorescences with white-colored sterile flowers with red purple-colored margins; long flowering period; and good postproduction quality and longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new container-type Hydrangea plants withstrong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flowercoloration.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination during thespring of 2011 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophyllaidentified as code number 54-00, not patented, as the female, or seed,parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identifiedas code number 21-00, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor inFebruary, 2013 as a flowering plant from within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inAarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings inAarslev, Denmark since the spring of 2013 has shown that the uniquefeatures of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’ as a newand distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit and strong stems.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Large mophead-type inflorescences with white-colored sterile        flowers with red purple-colored margins.    -   6. Long flowering period.    -   7. Good postproduction quality and longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of the female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the female parent selection        differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of        the female parent selection are light pink in color.    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of the        female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the maleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than plants of        the male parent selection.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the male parent selection        differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of        the male parent selection are white in color with pink-colored        margins.    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of the        male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as        vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of ‘H213901’.    -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have more        sterile and fewer fertile flowers than inflorescences of plants        of ‘H213901’.    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213901’ are dark        red purple in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213906’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213906’ are dark        pink in color.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of        ‘H213906’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance ofthe new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description which accurately describe the colors of the newHydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typicaldeveloped inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown during the spring in 13-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the newHydrangea were pinched one time and were one year old when thephotographs and description were taken. During the production of theplants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C., nighttemperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from40 to 50 klux. In the following description, color references are madeto The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, exceptwhere general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLL42-12-01’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 54-00, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 21-00, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at            temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; white, close            to N155D, in color.        -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial subshrub; compact, upright            and mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle; freely            branching habit with about six to seven lateral branches            developing per plant; strong lateral branches; moderately            vigorous to vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 30 cm.        -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 30 cm to 35 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 20 cm to 25 cm. Diameter:            About 5 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm to 4 cm.            Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color,            developing: Close to 147C. Color, developed: Close to 144B.            Color, lenticels: Close to N199B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate; simple.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 10 cm.        -   Width.—About 7 cm to 8 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to elliptic.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Obtuse to rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire to slightly serrate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth to rugose,            glabrous; semi-glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous;            prominent venation; matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to N186A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to N186C. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N137A; towards the            margins, close to N186A; venation, close to 145A to 145B.            Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close 146A to 146B;            towards the margins, close to 187A; venation, close to 145B            to 145C.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm to 5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144C.-   Inflorescence & flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and            inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal            mophead-type panicles; panicles hemispherical to flattened            globular in overall shape; fertile and sterile flowers face            upright to outwardly; early flowering habit, plants begin            flowering about seven to eight weeks after forcing period.        -   Natural flowering season.—Long flowering period, continuous            flowering from June throughout the summer in Northern            Europe.        -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last up to three            weeks on the plant; fertile flowers not persistent.        -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Flowers last about four            months on the plant; sterile flowers persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with less than            20 fertile flowers and about 150 sterile flowers per            panicle.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Panicle height.—About 6 cm to 7 cm.        -   Panicle diameter.—About 15 cm.        -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 2 mm.        -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 2 mm.        -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 3.5 cm to 4 cm.        -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 1 cm.        -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Spherical.        -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Deltoid.        -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter:            About 2 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to 68A to 68B.        -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm.            Diameter: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close            to 144C; distally, close to 71A.        -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a            single whorl. Length: About 3 mm to 4 mm. Width: About 2 mm.            Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color:            When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145A. Fully            opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 71C to 71D.        -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four or            five in a single whorl. Length: About 2.5 mm. Width: About            1.2 mm to 1.5 mm. Shape: Roughly ovate. Apex: Broadly acute.            Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 68A to 68B. Fully opened, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 68B; color does not change with            development.        -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a            single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 4 mm to 5 mm. Width:            About 2 mm to 3 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base:            Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Fine            pubescence. Texture, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous. Color:            When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 144D.            When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 144D.        -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four to            six in a single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 2 cm to            2.5 cm. Width: About 2 cm to 2.5 cm. Shape: Cordate. Apex:            Subacute. Base: Truncated, slightly rounded. Margin: Entire;            undulate. Texture, upper surface: Slightly rippled,            glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Rippled, glabrous. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Close to 145B; towards the            margins, close to 64A. When opening, lower surface: Close to            145A to 145B; towards the margins, close to 64A to 64B.            Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 157C; towards the            margins, close to 64B; white colored areas becoming closer            to 144D with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to 157C; towards the margins, close to 64B; white colored            areas becoming closer to 144C with development.        -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 6 mm to 7 mm.            Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to            outwardly. Texture: Fine pubescence. Color: Close to 144A.        -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter:            About 2 mm to 2.5 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly            upright. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 145D.        -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About eight. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament            color: Close to 67C. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther            shape: Reniform, elongated. Anther color: Close to 11D;            spots, close to 67C. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color:            Close to 155D. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: About            three. Pistil length: About 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Stigma shape:            Oval to almost round. Stigma color: Close to 64D. Style            length: About 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Style color: Close to 68A.            Ovary color: Close to 68A.        -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About eight to ten. Filament length: About 1.2 mm.            Filament color: Close to 62A. Anther length: About 0.5 mm.            Anther shape: Elliptical, elongated. Anther color: Close to            11D. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 19D.            Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: About three. Pistil            length: About 1 mm. Stigma shape: Roughly oval. Stigma            color: Close to 62A. Style length: About 1.2 mm. to 1.3 mm.            Style color: Close to N57D. Ovary color: Close to N57D.        -   Seeds.—Quantity: Between 30 to 100. Length: About 0.5 mm.            Diameter: About 0.2 mm. Color: Close to 199B.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have not    been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Hydrangea plants to date.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 4° C. to 35° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named‘SCHROLL42-12-01’ as illustrated and described.